Bordeaux caught out

The setting was new, at least. This was to be the Girondins de Bordeaux's first ever appearance at the Stade Océane, which just 24 hours previously had hosted the Domino’s Pizza Ligue 2 game between Le Havre and Châteauroux (1-1). The Girondins and Amiens had previously met just 4 times in their long histories, in 1947-48 and 1948-49 in the old 2nd division. 68 years ago! But the minnows were certainly not distracted by this historic occasion. They hit the ground running and tested Benoît Costil with long balls. Traoré (2’), Manzala (4’) and Gakpé (9’) all had shots in the first ten minutes.  It took Bordeaux a bit longer to find their way into this game, with a header from Mendy (15’) and a probing shot from Lukas Lerager (20’). Amiens  were by far the more dangerous of the two teams. Kakuta's free kick found Gakpé at the back post, whose shot flew just over the crossbar (23’). After half an hour or so the Girondins finally began to take control. Alexandre Mendy skimmed a shot just outside the post from the edge of the box (29’). Igor Lewczuk broke free down the wing and fired in a decent cross, but Younousse Sankharé couldn't quite get to it (34’). Amiens keeper Gurtner did well to stop a close-range header from Alexandre Mendy, teed up by a cross from Younousse Sankharé (38’). At half time the score remained 0-0. Bordeaux came back from the break looking a little brighter, and Nicolas De Préville soon had his first shot on goal. Just wide! (48’) He was back at it a minute later, but again missed the mark. Jocelyn Gourvennec decided to make an attacking change, bringing on François Kamano for Ottavio (58’). But the attacking action came at the other end when Amiens got a lucky goal from a set piece! Kakuta's corner found Ngosse, who managed to put the ball between the legs of Benoît Costil (65’). Another substitution for Bordeaux, this time with Valentin Vada coming on for Cafu (65’). Ten minutes later Malcom came on for Alexandre Mendy (74’).  Amiens were not making life easy for Bordeaux! Avelar had another chance from a free kick (69’). Meanwhile, the Girondins were struggling to create anything at all in attack. The end of the game was frantic, as the ball went from end to end with neither side having the precision required to make it count. A narrow defeat for Bordeaux, and a disappointing set-back in the race for the European places. The Girondins will need to get something from their match next Saturday, when they take on reigning champions Monaco at the Matmut ATLANTIQUE.   Bordeaux narrowly beaten by @AmiensSC . A tough night... pic.twitter.com/0X3bqvJW1G — FCGirondins Bordeaux (@girondins) 21 October 2017